Author: Chip Davis
Genre: YA fiction action/adventure
Page Count: 176
Synopsis:
Jack's life consisted of new schools, in new towns, with the same old problems. The pattern continued until he saw Ana deep in the woods. Through Ana, Jack developed a keen interest in learning who he was and where he came from, his ancestors.
"The best way to learn about your ancestors is to put yourself in the same environment they were in. It isn't enough to know what they did. If you really want to know them, you need to learn about what shaped them into who they were." Those were Ana's words. Her death left Jack with the realizations that he knew little of this amazing woman who was his adopted mother.
The first step of Jack's quest takes him to the last place she visited before his adoption, the island of Haiti. New friends, unexpected events, and the island itself give Jack a greater understanding of Ana, and ultimately himself.
Come with Jack as he begins his Journey.
Excerpt
The next morning I decided to walk around and explore Port-au-Prince. I had little idea where I was going or even wanted to go. I just headed downhill. I started noticing a trickle of dirty water running along the sidewalk curb. The further down I went. the more the trickle increased, and the more the smell of sewage began to assault my nose. I crossed over a bridge. Below the bridge was what I hope was a small river. The smell was intense. A man was sleeping on the concrete culvert by the water. My stomach churned, and I continued on quickly.
I stopped to rest in the shade, leaning up against a building. A man came up to me. “Do you need a guide?” he asked.
He was an older man, perhaps in his 60s, with a greying goatee. He was about my size and looked to be in good shape. I thought for a second, and decided that having someone show me around the city would save me a lot of wandering. As far as I could tell, there were no flat spots in all of Haiti. Everything was either up or down. I agreed, and we walked together.
“My name is Georges,” he said as we walked. “I know this city and anywhere else in Haiti.”
“I’m Jack.” I smiled. I liked Georges; there was something about him that I trusted instantly.